Alpha Male Syndrome

Alpha Male Sydrome describes the distinguishing dynamics of the alpha male syndrome and identify four breeds: commanders; executors; strategists; and, visionaries. Exercises, checklists, and tips enable readers to harness the enormous power of the alpha personality while minimising the downsides of alpha behavior. Read more Continue reading Read less FROM PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Alphas-who are predominantly male-may be aggressive achievers who get things done, but their potential for explosive anger and ruthless competitiveness can be bad for business. Husband-and-wife consulting team Ludeman and Erlandson (Radical Change, Radical Results) steer Alphas and those who work with them away from dysfunction and towards productivity in this action-oriented book that may miss its overconfident primary target. The authors, who have coached clients including Michael Dell, delineate the four major types of alpha males, their strengths and weaknesses, and "action steps" for both alphas and their colleagues. Commanders are "take-charge types... with a burning desire for victory" whose "high expectations lead to frustration and rage." Ludeman and Erlandson advise them to expose some vulnerability to promote healthy working relationships and offer colleagues ways of handling commander anger, like standing your ground. Visionaries are passionate dreamers who might ignore nuts and bolts, strategists are analytical geniuses who can come across as know-it-alls and executors are results-oriented but overly critical. Since arrogant alpha males, often blind to their shortcomings, will be impatient with coaching (and self-help books) , their beleaguered colleagues may be the ones poring over this account.
Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. REVIEW
"...takes a stab at persuading alphas they need to temper their behavior, and offers advice on how to seek help." -- Catherine Fox, Australian Financial Review, October 13, 2006

"...the volume, targeted at both alphas and their sometimes apprehensive co-workers, offers some useful...tips" -- BusinessWeek, November 6, 2006

"Alpha Male Syndrome is the most comprehensive analysis yet of this bullish breed..." -- Richard Morrison, The Times of London, October 11, 2006

"It's a practical book on an important workplace issue, with a solid research foundation and many illuminating examples from the authors' consulting work." -- The Globe and Mail, January 10, 2007

"Ludeman and Erlandson know their subject well" -- The Financial Times, August 29, 2006

"The first and the biggest step in flicking that inner Stalin off your shoulder is knowing he is perched there..." -- Theodore Kinni, Conference Board, September-October 2006 ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kate Ludeman is the principal of WorthEthic, an Austin, Texas based executive coaching firm. She has coached thousands of leaders, including Michael Dell, Meg Whitman of eBay, and Larry Lucchino of the Boston Red Sox. Ludeman is a psychologist with extensive media experience and has authored numerous books.

Eddie Erlandson is the principal of WorthEthic, an Austin, Texas-based executive coaching firm. He has coached thousands of leaders, including Michael Dell, and Kevin Rollins of Dell, Meg Whitman of eBay, and Larry Lucchino of the Boston Red Sox. Erlandson is a former cardiovascular surgeon and a popular keynote speaker. Read more Continue reading Read less